KIEV - The number of Chinese visitors to Ukraine increased by 51.4 percent last year, as the two countries are enjoying close business ties and people-to-people exchanges, according to official statistics released here on Monday.

A total of 31,114 Chinese citizens visited Ukraine last year, according to a report released by Ukraine's State Statistics Service.

Most of them came to Ukraine for business, tourism or private purposes, the report said.

Ukraine introduced a visa-on-arrival policy for Chinese citizens at Kiev Boryspil Airport and the airport of the country's southern Black Sea resort of Odessa in June 2016.

Chinese citizens can obtain 15-day entry visa if they have documents confirming the business or tourist purpose of the visit.